Question about Washinton DC? planing trip

[Miniaturezoo954]

Hi i would like to know if maybe anyone outhere has any tips about Washinton DC area hotels, that offer great location and rooms.
We are a conservative young couple looking to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Zoo, would love to get any tips on a reliable hotel that could offer a centric location to visit this two places, as well as a modern/elegant room design that makes our stay that much pleasurable.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Zoogoer2000]

Hi minizoo (Can I call you this for short?)

I visited Washington D.C. during March Break 2007 and within the first hour of being there, we quickly figureed out a thing or two

Washington hotels are very expensive. We made the mistake of staying in a Howard Johnson Motel which was in our budget but we quickly realized that you can either stay in high class ritz hotel in the fancier parts of town, or the hood! There's really no in beetween in Washington

Luckily, the metro system (subway) goes all the way out to the very close by Maryland and Virginia which are right on the border of Washington D.C. and it can take you to any where you want within the district

With this, I must say another thing, don't drive!

The traffic within Washington D.C. is horrendous and as said above, the metro system is absolutely amazing and can take you anywhere within Washington D.C. plus the outskirts of Maryland and Virginia

Another thing, alost every tourist attraction in Wshington is free! The only real entrance fee we payed was the 20 dollars each for the amazing city bus tour. The Smithsonian, National Zoo, various monuments and m any other things are completely free in the amazing city

If you are staying in Washington D.C, especially the rougher parts of town, don't go out past dark... Its a free ticket for muggers and your just asking for it

Have an awesome trip and I hope you have as good of a time as I did